Kevcules

Heh
I have a 98 Venture with 115,00 kms on it will little problems so far. (knock on wood) I run synthetic oil and keep it tuned up. My question is why does the thing not throw any heat in the winter time. It takes forever to warm up and the temp gauge stays just under the first bar of operating range all the time...If you are idleing, with the fan off , it will come up a bit on the gauge, but not much. Now , in the summer, it wants to run hot. No problem while driving, but pull into a burger drive through and the temp gauge comes up to about 3/4 of the operating temp. It gets really hot, then the fan kicks in, but this high temp can't be good for the engine and or gaskets. I've had the anti-freeze replaced with the proper dex-cool with no change. Do all Ventures do this? I've owned differnt vehicles before and this can't be normal.
PS...... I have heard alot of horror stories on these engines and will probably trade it in this summer!!!

gls02

I would guess that the thermostat is faulty and needs to be replaced.

Kevcules

Yah , That's what I was going to try, but if thermostat was weak, then it shouldn't heat up so much in the summer right?? It runs hotter than normal and usually the temp doesn't bounce around so much once heated up to operating temperature.
Thanks for replying though. I will change it in the spring.

broughy84

If ther thermostat is sticking partially closed it will run hotter than normal.

__________________
Matthew Brough
1998 Chevrolet Venture -- 104,000 miles
1988 Chevrolet Silverado -- 156,000 miles
1996 Chevrolet Cheyenne -- 107,000 miles

gls02

When your engine is cold the thermostat is not closing and allowing coolant to pass through the radiator which is cooling the coolant down at the wrong time and that is why it takes forever to warm up the engine. In the summer your thermostat won't open up all the way causing your engine to run hot. Since the temps are higher during the summer and you are not using the heater to remove heat like you do in the winter, your cooling system will have to remove more heat through the radiator only. A thermostat that isn't opening up all the way won't let the coolant pass to the radiator so the hot coolant can't be cooled down.

Yes, I also believe that your thermostat is struck or moving very little and replacing it should cure your problem.

Now, replacing the thermostat on these vans looks like a big job.

Kevcules

Thanks Guys for your input. I will definitely change the thermostat when I get a chance. You're right , it does look like a fairly big job on these vans.

broughy84

Have fun, good luck, I'll pray for ya....and all that other good stuff.

Seriously now really all you need is a good swivel or wobble socket. Oh yeah and an air butterfly ratchet is dandy too!

__________________
Matthew Brough
1998 Chevrolet Venture -- 104,000 miles
1988 Chevrolet Silverado -- 156,000 miles
1996 Chevrolet Cheyenne -- 107,000 miles

Kevcules

Sounds good , still too cold to pop the hood yet, dont have a garage YET!!
PS... nice lookin truck Matthew!!
Kevin

gls02

Are you saying that the thermostat/housing can be removed without removing the exhaust crossover pipe? It looks possible to me, but has anyone ever done it that way?

broughy84

I'm pretty sure it is possible. I have loosened the bolts to pump some rtv on a leak, but I haven't changed the thermostat yet....I plan on that as soon as the temp gets a little higher out!

Thanks, which one are you talking about? The green one is in much better shape than the black/red one.

__________________
Matthew Brough
1998 Chevrolet Venture -- 104,000 miles
1988 Chevrolet Silverado -- 156,000 miles
1996 Chevrolet Cheyenne -- 107,000 miles

Kevcules

Yup.... the green one!!
I'm gonna try to change it when it gets a LITTLE warmer too.
Kevin

DaHole

I just did it last night. Have to take off the rubber air intake hose and the two botls on the front of the heat shield for the manifold. This will allow the shield to move enough to get on the top bolt with a 1/4 drive 13mm socket and extension. The bottom one is a 13mm box end. It is a slow process on this bolt as there is only a little room to turn the wrench.